(For Release On Or After 05/30/14) A wide variety of pests can damage plants or cause problems in Louisiana landscapes. They include insects, mites, fungi, bacteria, nematodes and a whole host of weeds.

(Video 05/19/14) Typical hibiscus plants survive well in normal Louisiana winter weather, but these tropicals don’t fare well in frozen conditions. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to a new hibiscus that can survive the cold. The Luna hibiscus is a Louisiana Super Plant selection for 2014. (Runtime: 1:57 seconds)

(Audio 05/25/14) Landscape roses are a new type of rose that many Louisiana gardeners have moved to. Older types of roses are more susceptible to a disease called blackspot. Blackspot cannot be controlled by spraying occasionally; roses have to be sprayed every 7-10 days. Listen to learn more about how to control blackspot. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/26/14) Crape myrtles are one of Louisiana’s most popular trees. Crape myrtle aphids leave honeydew on the leaves and branches, which then leads to a black mold growth. Listen to find out how to stop aphids from making an appearance in your garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/26/14) Traditional greens that Louisianans like to eat don’t produce well during summer. Some leafy greens can be good substitutes. Listen to find out more about these summer leafy greens. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/26/14) Different types of pots need to be cleaned in different ways. The best time to do this is in between plantings. Clean pots will make your plants look better. Listen to learn more. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/26/14) Spanish moss is not a parasite and does not harm your trees. It creates its own photosynthesis, and it gets the water that it needs from rainfall. The Spanish moss is only using the tree to hang on to. Removing it, however, can be quite a task. Listen to learn more. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 05/26/14) If you’ve noticed funny trailing patterns on leaves of your vegetables, it could mean you have a pest called the leaf miner. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains what can be done to stop this destructive little fly. (Runtime: 1:57 seconds)

(Audio 05/19/14) Newly planted trees and shrubs are more prone to drought stress during the summer. You have to pay close attention to watering them regularly. Different types of plants need certain amounts of watering. Listen to learn more about watering your newly planted plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/19/14) Your cool-season plants that provided you with bright colors during the spring are beginning to look faded and tired during the early summer. These plants can’t handle the high temperatures that summer brings. It is time to throw those plants into your compost pile and visit your local nursery to get warm-season plants that will suit your landscape and last through summer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/19/14) Even though your potato plants have been in your garden for a long time, they aren’t usually ready until the end of May. You can harvest some now if you want little early potatoes, but if you want those big potatoes, leave them in the ground until the plant starts to look yellow. Listen to learn more. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/19/15) May is the month when hydrangeas and gardenias come into bloom. They are both suited for shady areas and bring a beautiful color to your landscape. Many varieties of each plant allow you to be creative with your flowers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/19/15) Wild blackberries are one of the easiest fruit crops to grow. This time of the year, however, is not an ideal time to plant them. But if you are looking for some, now is the time to harvest. Visit your local nursery to see if they have any plants already growing. Those plants will provide berries for you next spring when they are in production. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/12/14) Lawn weeds can be a big problem in yards. For those with a fair amount of weeds, it is best to spray the entire lawn. Treat lawns soon, because many lawn herbicides cannot be used once it gets hot. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/12/14) Tomatoes are popular homegrown vegetables. Disease and insects are common on tomatoes. The disease buckeye rot is active this time of the year. Remove infected tomatoes and spray plants with a fungicide. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/12/14) Moving houseplants outdoors for the summer can rejuvenate them. Light conditions are low inside, so move them to a shady spot first, gradually putting them in more light. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/12/14) The Lunar hibiscus is a Louisiana Super Plant selection for spring 2014. This hibiscus comes in four colors and produces large flowers. The Lunar hibiscus can be planted in sunny areas and are tolerant of poor drainage. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/12/14) Laying sod is a great way to create a lawn or repair damage to an existing lawn. Watering new sod properly will ensure that the grass takes root and a nice lawn is established. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/07/14) Louisiana’s ethnic make-up has shifted over the years, not only in terms of who lives in Louisiana,but also in how individuals identify themselves. LSU AgCenter sociologist Mark Schafer has been studying eight of Louisiana’s ethnic or racial groups. (Runtime: 1:20)

(Audio 05/05/14) The best way to plant lawns is by using sod. There are several different types of grass for you to choose from, but you want to make sure you pick the right one for your area. Now is the time to lay sod for best results. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 5/5/14) A herb garden is wonderful to have when cooking. Herbs planted in early fall should be growing profusely now and are ready to be harvested. Harvest them generously before the temperature gets too hot. You can add basil to your herb garden now. It can handle the heat. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 5/5/14) As we move into May, the temperature starts to rise. It may be too late to put in certain vegetables such as tomatoes and bell peppers, but there are plenty of heat-tolerant vegetables you can plant this month. Listen to learn more. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 5/5/14) Eggplants grow well in warm conditions. They come in all shapes and sizes. The key to getting a good eggplant is harvesting it at the right time. Listen to learn more about when to pick your eggplants.(Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 5/5/14) Caladiums mostly do well in shady areas, but there are some types that can tolerate some sun. Planting caladiums isn't hard. It just has to be done correctly. Listen to learn more about planting caladiums. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 05/05/14) Louisiana Super Plants are selected by the LSU AgCenter for their outstanding beauty and performance in Louisiana landscapes. The latest spring selection is the Tutti Fruitti Pink buddleia – a perennial butterfly bush that comes back year after year. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains why the beautiful Tutti Fruitti Pink is an innovative selection for your landscape. (Runtime: 1:50 seconds)

(Video (05/12/14) Summer will be here before you know it, and you can prepare for the heat now by planting beautiful drought-tolerant plants in sunny spots of your landscape. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill suggests some plants that are tough in hot, drought-like conditions and superb at producing beautiful flowers. (Runtime: 1:47 seconds)

(For Release On Or After 05/16/14) You may sometimes read or hear information about planting certain plants around other types of plants to prevent insect problems. This is commonly called companion planting.

(For Release On Or After 05/23/14) We are generally interested in something to eat when we grow vegetables. In some cases, however, certain vegetable varieties have been bred and selected for their ornamental characteristics rather than food quality.

(For Release On Or After 05/09/14) Yes, some hibiscuses are hardy in Louisiana. One of them, the Luna series hibiscus, has been named a Louisiana Super Plant selection for spring 2014.

(For Release On Or After 05/02/14) Many gardeners suffer from pollen allergies and are prone to sneezing, runny noses, watering eyes and sinus pressure headaches while working outside when pollen counts are high.